非洲商人在中国蓬勃发展（在线收听）

With the 5th Forum on China African Cooperation Ministerial Conference taking place in Beijing, CCTV reporter Li Qiuyuan went to the city of Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang Province to see how African merchants are doing business in China.

The spirit of Africa is spreading in China.

Li Qiuyuan, Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, said, "Here at the world's largest commodities market in the city of Yiwu, in East China's Zhejiang province, the African trade centre is definitely an eye catching spot, almost all African countries have their space to set up shops in the trade centre, either for retail or wholesale, let's go take a look."

Gizelle came to Yiwu about a year ago from Cameroon when the African Trade Centre first opened. She was a very successful businesswoman back in Cameroon owning multiple stores, and is now expanding her business in China selling hand-made African decor and furniture.

"These masks are from my continent, west Cameroon."

Ndjantou Gizelle, owner of Tchanda Trading Art, came to Yiwu about a year ago from Cameroon when the African Trade Centre first opened.

Excited to show me around, she told me her customers include members from collectors association, African art fans, and retailers from all across China. For her, this store opens up the entire Chinese market.

Ndjantou Gizelle, owner of Tchanda Trading Art, said, "People from Beijing come here, Yiwu come here, Guangzhou come here, Xi'an come here, every (city on the) continent for Chinese come here."

Fatima owns the Senegal shop a few stores next to Gizelle's. Before he came to Yiwu, he was in Ningbo, a close-by city in Zhejiang province for a year doing export business.

African decor and furniture sold in Yiwu, in East China's Zhejiang province.

"All these are from my country, (made) by hand."

His entire family now lives in Yiwu, and all of them have fell in love with the city.

"I like it here, and my brother speaks fluent Chinese."

To many Africans, Yiwu is a quite familiar name. The city's commodities have been exported to 53 African countries and territories. And now with African business merchants having the chance to sell their products in China, two sides' private sectors are getting closer than ever.

African decor and furniture sold in Yiwu, in East China's  Zhejiang province.

While the 5TH Forum on China Africa Cooperation Ministerial Conference is being held in Beijing, the cooperation between China and Africa is not limited to these high level officials. Here at the world's largest commodity market in the city of Yiwu, you can see African merchants selling authentic African products, the cooperation is already being seen in private sector as well as a people to people exchange.

Many African merchants also choose to work with Chinese partners, and have learned to adjust to the local market as well. The Yiwu international trade mart also helped greatly, from getting visas to renting apartments for them to stay, and not to mention the favorable lease policy.

Zhu Xingping, Manager of China Commodity City Group, Yiwu, said, "We offer African merchants free rental for the first 3 years operating in the market. So far there are 33 shops from 23 African countries in the African trade centre since it opened in May 2011, and 12 more shops are applying."

For African merchants like Gizelle and Fatima, China is a land full of opportunities. As they gradually build up their customer base, they are also looking ahead to an even brighter future.

African decor and furniture sold in Yiwu, in East China's Zhejiang province.

African decor and furniture sold in Yiwu, in East China's Zhejiang province.